Fort McMurray Minute: Beat Patrol, Campground Closure, and Fire Bylaw Updates

Fort McMurray Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Fort McMurray politics

This Week In Fort McMurray:

• There will be a Special Meeting of Council on Tuesday at 6:00 pm. There are a number of Councillor motions on the agenda, including the creation of an Audit and Budget Committee, a review of the Whistleblower Policy and Integrity Commissioner Bylaw, and investigations into opportunities to create pickleball courts, and ways to enhance safety and security for downtown. Council will also discuss the 2024-2026 Fiscal Management Strategy.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Wood Buffalo Development Advisory Committee. Much of this meeting will be held in-camera (in secret) to discuss the Downtown Revitalization Incentive Program.
  
  
• Also on Wednesday, at 5:30 pm, there will be a meeting of the Wood Buffalo Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee. The Committee will hear an update on Policing Priorities and Downtown Crime Statistics, including how the Wood Buffalo RCMP in Fort McMurray has launched a new Downtown Beat Patrol initiative with officers conducting daily foot and bike patrols in the downtown area to enhance visibility and engagement with businesses and the public. Also on the agenda are an Accessibility Audit Update and discussion about flood mitigation.

Last Week In Fort McMurray:

• Council approved significant revisions to the Outdoor Fire Bylaw, focusing on backyard fire pits, fire permits, and fire bans within the urban service area. The updated bylaw includes higher fines ranging from $300 to $1,200 for violations. Permits for stationary backyard fire pits are no longer required, but permits remain necessary for other outdoor burning activities.
  
  
• Council approved rezoning of the Centennial RV Campground. It will close by May 2026 to make way for a Legacy Dodge dealership. Some Councillors were surprised to discover that the campground's permit had actually expired in 2020. Initially destroyed in the 2016 Horse River Wildfire, when the owner sought to rebuild, it was discovered that the land was zoned for parks and recreation. To aid in the post-fire recovery, the municipality allowed the campground to operate until March 2020. In 2023, the owners approached the City with a proposal to keep operating until the dealership could be built.
  
  
• The federal government is exploring the idea of converting the Canada Post building on Hardin Street into housing, part of a larger program called the Canada Post Housing Program. This initiative aims to repurpose disposed or leased Canada Post properties for affordable housing, with a detailed plan expected later this year. Specifics, such as funding for the conversion and the number of potential housing units, are not available at this time. The proposal was introduced in the recent federal budget alongside similar plans for Canada Post properties in Quebec and British Columbia.